Hydration Storage and Dispensing Device

ABSTRACT

A convenient liquid storage and dispensing device for the purpose of providing hydration to those engaged in activities where accessing a traditional beverage container would be inconvenient or disruptive. The device can be made from a variety of flexible, liquid impermeable materials and can be manufactured in various sizes and volumes to accommodate the needs of the user. The device includes a reservoir for holding a liquid and a straw for accessing the liquid contained in the reservoir. The device also has a protective slide mechanism that hides and protects the straw from the environment when the device is not in use. The device is further adapted to be fastened around various objects, including a user&#39;s wrist.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/378,038 filed on Aug. 30, 2010, entitled “Wristeeez Wrist Quencher.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for providing convenient access to and storage of a beverage by those engaged in any activity where accessing a beverage or storing a traditional beverage container would be inconvenient, impossible or irksome. More specifically, the present invention can be worn by a user or fastened around various objects.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many situations where dehydration poses a serious problem. Dehydration can cause headaches, light-headedness, dizziness, fainting and in extreme cases delirium, unconsciousness or death. While keeping adequately hydrated is important to maintaining one's health and wellness, the need to hydrate can be disruptive of activities that an individual is engaged in. An individual engaged in exercising may not want to break rhythm in order to rehydrate, or a student may be disrupting a lecture by asking permission for a drink break. Storage of a traditional beverage container may also be impossible given the nature of an activity an individual is engaged in. Bike riding, jogging and other physical activities make it challenging to hold a traditional beverage container.

Several patents have been granted to devices that attempt to provide hydrating beverages and convenient storage thereof to those who are exercising or weight training. These prior art devices have several known drawbacks in their design, which impact the healthfulness of drinking from a reservoir access port. The present invention provides a cover mechanism that protects a drinking port from the environment, dirt and germs, making for a hygienic and innovative solution that provides users with easy access to hydrating liquids and convenient storage of said liquids.

Included in the similar prior art are patents describing liquid containing and dispensing devices that are secured around a user's wrist for easy access to the contained liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,866 to Taylor Jr. describes a wrist band that contains a removable and replaceable liquid reservoir inside. The wrist band is wrapped around the user's wrist and secured in place by a hook and loop fastener method like VELCRO™. Access to the contained liquid is achieved through a drinking straw, which is partially covered by a cover flap when the device is secured to the user's wrist. The drinking portion of the drinking straw remains exposed when the cover flap is in place. To drink from the reservoir, a user must pull back the cover flap to free the drinking straw, using the exposed portion of the drinking straw as a pull-tab to begin pulling back the hook and loop fastened cover flap. Not only is the drinking portion of the drinking straw exposed to the elements when not in use, but the user must actually touch the drinking portion of the drinking straw in order to pull back the cover flap and access the entire drinking straw. The present invention provides an innovative mechanism for protecting the drinking straw of a reservoir device from dirt and germs. Namely, a movable cover mechanism protects and hides the drinking port when in the closed position, and provides for easy user access to the drinking straw when in the open position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,126,041 to DiTomasso describes a wrist band and attached reservoir pouch that is strapped to the wrist of a user. The reservoir pouch can either be removed and disposed of once depleted of liquid, or refilled for reuse. The device claims to automatically dispense the contained liquid via positive pressure attributed to the forced swell of the wristlet's elastic material from the volume of liquid contained inside. Access to the liquid inside the device is achieved through a dispensing nipple that is located on the exterior of the device. The positive pressure dispensing method is unique to the DiTomasso patent and it presents the potential hazard that the contained liquid will spurt out of the device in the event that the nipple is accidentally opened. The present invention does not pose the same risk of spurting as the DiTomasso patented device because the present invention has a sliding protective mechanism that can be locked into place when in a closed position, preventing leakage. Since the reservoir in the DiTomasso patent is removable, there are also concerns that the reservoir will accidentally detach from the wristband during rigorous physical activity. The present invention encompasses the liquid reservoir—that is, the device is inseparable from the reservoir bladder. There is no need to be concerned about reservoir detachment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,347 to White claims a wristlet beverage dispenser that is made of an elastic, liquid-impervious material so that it can be slipped on and off over the user's hand, rather than wrapped around the wrist. The claims suggest an annular shape which, due to the elastic properties of the material the device is made from, will allow the device to snuggly fit the wrist of the user once slipped over the hand. The device is a reservoir, and the liquid contained within is accessed by the user through a resealable closure, such as a nipple, located on the exterior of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,097 to Smith is similar to the Taylor Jr., DiTomasso and White patents. The Smith patent describes a reservoir and liquid dispensing device with a C-shaped wrist cuff design. The device serves as both a water weight and a water dispensing device. User's access to the liquid contained within is achieved by accessing a drinking port, which is located on the exterior of the device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,529 to Levit also describes a C-shaped wrist cuff reservoir designed to serve as both a water weight and a water dispensing device for runners. Users can access the water contained in the weights by opening a dispenser and drinking from it. Users must securely reseal the dispenser or risk leakage. The C-shaped device design in both the Smith and Levit patents each lack a means of securing the device to the user's limb. Without any means of attachment, the device could possibly fall off a user's wrist. The present invention will include an attachment means, which includes, but is not limited to: snaps, hook and loop fasteners or a buckle, to ensure that the device remains securely fastened around whatever the user has attached it to.

Several other patents have issued for drinking devices that are secured to a user's arm, rather than a user's wrist. U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,869 to Katz describes a reservoir device that is secured to a user's arm. The user drinks directly from the reservoir through a protruding straw. The straw internally harbors a sealing ball and spring configuration serving as a one-way valve to prevent liquid from exiting the reservoir. The straw is positioned so that it protrudes out into the open; it cannot be tucked into the device nor hidden when not in use. The present invention describes a sliding protective mechanism that can be moved to cover the reservoir accessing straw. Moving the protective mechanism to the closed position protects and hides the straw from the environment when the device is not being used.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,960 to Fink describes a liquid dispensing apparatus that places the liquid reservoir on the upper arm of a user and runs a dispensing line down the user's arm to an unprotected dispensing port attached to the user's wrist, which the user can drink from. The dispensing line has a flow control valve, which can be adjusted to restrict the flow of the dispensing liquid. There is the potential for the dispensing line to become detached from the reservoir as the line is not secured to the arm in any way. The present invention does not pose the risk of reservoir detachment as the device encompasses the liquid reservoir, which is tapped into directly by a liquid accessing straw.

Both the Katz and Fink patents describe a durable and reliable construction of their liquid storage and dispensing devices. Yet the use of a rigid material in the construction of a reservoir could be uncomfortable when fastened to a user's limb. The present invention describes a reservoir pouch that is made from a material that is impermeable to liquid and flexible, making the device comfortable for the user to wear by fastening the device around their wrist.

The prior art cited here describes reservoir and liquid dispensing systems and devices that can be secured to a user's limb for easy access to the liquid contained therewith. Users of the prior art can access liquid from these reservoir devices at their leisure. These inventions, while providing novel ways to conveniently store and provide liquids to a user, all prescribe access to the liquid contained within via an unprotected dispensing port that is exposed to the environment, germs and dirt. After accessing the liquid using any one of the cited prior art devices, the liquid access point—be it a nipple, straw or dispensing port—after use is covered with the user's saliva and excess liquid remaining on the dispensing port. This wet surface is then exposed to the environment, and could easily collect dust, dirt and germs, which the user would ingest the next time they drink from the liquid access point. The present invention provides an innovative hygienic improvement over the prior art; a sliding mechanism that hides and protects the liquid accessing straw when not in use, protecting the drinking end of the straw from unnecessary exposure to dirt, germs and dust. This invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of liquid storing and dispensing devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new liquid storing device with a liquid accessing port protection mechanism wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenient storage of a liquid by the user, and protection from germs and dirt when in the liquid accessing port protection mechanism is in the closed position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved liquid storage and dispensing device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages therein.

Another object of the present invention to provide easy storage of a hydrating beverage and easy access to that beverage during activities where accessing a traditional beverage container would be challenging and/or inconvenient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective mechanism for keeping the liquid accessing straw hidden from sight, and protected from the environment, germs, dirt and the like, when not in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, and how it can be used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention in a working position fastened around a user's wrist. The protective mechanism is in the open position, providing straw access.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in an unfastened configuration. The protective mechanism is in the closed position, which prevents the contained liquid from leaking out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention, wherein a user is using the device. The device comprises an internal reservoir 11 and is made from a flexible material that is impermeable to liquid. The reservoir has two ends—a first end and a second end. The device is designed with a means of attaching the first end and the second end of the device to each other by an attachment means, here depicted as snaps 12. A user 15 can open the protective mechanism 13, providing access to the contained liquid within the reservoir 11 by use of a reservoir access port. In this embodiment, the user 15 is drinking from the reservoir access port by a straw 14 drinking means. However, the device is not limited to only the use of a straw for accessing the liquid contained inside the reservoir. Other embodiments of the draining means may have a reservoir access port that includes a push-pull “sports bottle” cap, a snap top cap, screw-off cap, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention fastened around the wrist of a user 15 by an attachment means, here depicted as snaps 12. The protective mechanism 13 has been slid to the open position by the user, and the straw 14 has been exposed.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in its unfastened configuration. The protective mechanism 13 has been slid to the closed position, hiding the straw 14 and protecting it from exposure to the environment.

In use, a user 15 can wear the device around his or her wrist by fastening the first end of the reservoir 11 to the second end of the reservoir 11 using the attachment means 12. The attachment means 12 can include, but are not limited to, snaps (as depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3), buckles, buttons, tying strings or hook and loop fasteners. A user 15 is not limited to only wearing the device around a limb. A user 15 could also fasten the device to or around other various objects. For example, a user 15 could fasten the device to a belt loop, around a bike handle, or fasten the device around the neck of a pet, as one would a pet collar.

To access the liquid inside the reservoir 11, the user must open a moveable protective mechanism 13 in order to gain access to the straw 14. The purpose of the protective mechanism 13 is to hide the straw 14 from sight, and protects the straw 14 from the environment when the device is not being used, keeping the drinking end of the straw 14 hygienic and clean for the next time a user 15 wants to drink from the device. The protective mechanism 13 has two parts: the protective cover 16 and a locking button 17. The locking button 17 locks the protective mechanism in either the open or closed position. To open the protective mechanism 13 and expose the straw 14, a user 15 must depress a locking button 17, which is located on top of the protective cover 16. Unlocking the protective mechanism 13 allows a user 15 to move the protective mechanism 13 from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. Once in the open position, a user 15 can sip as much of the liquid as desired, then depress the locking button 17 to slide the protection mechanism 13 to the closed position to protect the straw 14 from collecting dirt, germs, and the like. The straw 14 also has a one-way valve contained therein, which will only allow liquid to flow through the straw 14 when a user 15 produces enough suction on the straw 14 to extract the liquid from the reservoir 11 through the straw 14. The one-way valve prevents unwanted spills or leakage. Additionally, when the protecting mechanism 13 is in the closed position, the device is spill-proof.

One of the embodiments of the present invention is a refillable version of the device. This embodiment of the device has a straw 14 that has two ends; a drinking end and a threaded non-drinking end. To refill the device, a user 15 would open the protective mechanism 13 to reveal the straw 14. The user 15 would then unscrew the straw 14 and refill the reservoir 11 with fresh liquid. In the alternative, another embodiment of a refillable version of the device will have a separate filling portal for refilling the reservoir 11 that is distinct from the liquid accessing straw 14. The device can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and volumes, and could be made to be both disposable and/or reusable. The disposable variation of the device would be made from a material similar to that which disposable juice boxes are made from, or similar inexpensive and disposable material.

The present invention could be used by joggers, weight trainers and athletes, as these individuals may find the device very useful during their specific activities. These types of physical activities make it very difficult for participants to carry or hold a traditional beverage container. These users can wear the device either around a body part—for example, around a limb, around the neck, or around the waist using an optionally removable and extendable attachment means—or they could wrap the device around a nearby object for storage while they exercise. By using the present invention, this group of users would easily be able to access a beverage while remaining engaged in the physical activity.

Another embodiment of the device is designed to be child-friendly. The sliding protection mechanism 13 is so simple to manipulate, even children can operate the mechanism with ease. The child user 15 simply depresses the locking button 17 and slides the protective mechanism 13 open. In addition to using the device during typical childhood activities, such as bike riding or playing outdoors, the device could be used by students during class time. Rather than disrupt a classroom lecture by raising their hand for permission to take a drink break, students can sip from the device during class time without disrupting anyone else's learning. Schools could also encourage student use of the device during class time, gym class, and field trips.

To this point, the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A liquid storage and dispensing device for the convenient storage and access to a contained liquid, comprising; a reservoir having a first and a second end, which holds said liquid and has a reservoir access port which grants access to said contained liquid; an attachment means by which said reservoir's first and second ends can be attached to one another around an object for which said device will fit; a drinking means used for accessing said liquid contained in said reservoir through said reservoir access port. 2) The device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is made from a material that is flexible and impervious to liquid. 3) The device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir is capable of containing liquid. 4) The device of claim 1, wherein said attachment means are snaps. 5) The device of claim 1, wherein said drinking means comprises a straw. 6) The device of claim 5, wherein said straw further comprises an internal, one-way valve to prevent leakage of liquid from said reservoir, a drinking end and a threaded non-drinking end. 7) The device of claim 1, wherein said drinking means comprises a port with a screw-off cap device. 8) The device of claim 1, wherein said drinking means comprises a port with a snap top cap. 9) The device of claim 1, wherein said drinking means comprises a port with a push-pull cap device. 10) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a protection mechanism located on said reservoir; wherein said protection mechanism is capable of moving into an open and a closed position; wherein, when said protection mechanism is in said open position, a user can access said drinking means to drink said contained liquid from within said reservoir; wherein, when said protection mechanism is in said closed position, said drinking means is hidden from view and protected from an outward environment, and said device will not leak any of said reservoir liquid through said straw. 11) The device of claim 10, wherein said protection mechanism is a slide lock comprising a movable protective cover and a locking button that must be depressed to slide said protection mechanism into an open or closed position. 